Friday, July 14, 1775.

The Court being met according to adjournment; present all the members as yesterday. Lieutenant James Donnell deposed: about noon we marched to Lechmere’s Point, where we remained one quarter of an hour. Going from the point, Charlestown was set on fire. Whilst at the point, General Whitcomb ordered Colonel Scammons to march to the hill. The deponent understood the hill meant was Bunker’s Hill. Colonel Scammons then marched to a small hill, about a mile distant from Bunker’s Hill. Col. Scammons sent two Sergeants to Bunker’s Hill, to know if his Regiment was wanted. We remained on the small hill three-quarters of an hour, during all which time there was a smart fire on Bunker’s Hill, from small-arms and cannon. After three quarters of an hour we marched to the hither edge of Bunker’s Hill, where the shot flew very thick. Before we got to the top of the hill, Colonel Scammons ordered a retreat; immediately there was a general retreat of our Regiment. Every one made the best of his way off. We were no time that day near enough to engage the enemy. The witness does not know any distinction between Bunker’s and Brewer’s Hill.

Ensign Joshua Trafton deposed: about two of the clock in the afternoon we marched from Cambridge to Lechmere’s Point, where we found General Whitcomb, who expressed much surprise at finding Colonel Scammons take post there. We remained on the point fifteen minutes, and then marched to a small hill below Prospect Hill. We continued on the small hill about half an hour or more; during which time Colonel Scammons sent two Sergeants to Bunker’s Hill, to know if his Regiment was wanted. We took the nearest road to Bunker’s Hill, as I suppose, and before we got to the top of the hill, the Colonel ordered a retreat. I cannot say whether the breastwork was forced or not at this time. We saw many men retreating down the hill, who said they had spent all their ammunition; some told us that the enemy had retreated, and begged us to push on. As we turned off the small hill, a Regiment marched up towards Bunker’s Hill. As we marched from Cambridge we heard the Regulars were landing at Lechmere’s Point, and at Charlestown. Colonel Scammons made the greatest dispatch from the small hill to Bunker’s Hill. I saw no other instance of backwardness in Colonel Scammons, except his long stay at the small hill, which appeared to me unnecessary. As we retreated, a number of men advanced up in an irregular manner.

Ensign Nathan Lord deposed: we were one quarter of an hour near Lechmere’s Point; we then marched to a small hill below Prospect Hill, where we tarried a quarter of an hour, then marched to Bunker’s Hill the nearest way, and with as much despatch as we could go. We stayed twenty minutes on the small hill, whilst the fire continued on the further part of Bunker’s Hill; we got to the top of Bunker’s Hill; after which General Putnam came up, and ordered the Regiment to advance within hearing of Colonel Scammons; part of the Regiment then, advanced, but the deponent does not know if Colonel Scammons was with them. I heard several persons, whom I took to be officers, order a retreat before Colonel Scammons, did. After we got over Charlestown Neck, going up Bunker’s Hill, Col. Scammons cried, Come, my Yorkshire lads, now let us show our bravery. The deponent does not know a distinction between Bunker’s Hill and Brewer’s Hill.

Major Daniel Wood deposed: we marched from near Lechmere’s Point, to a small hill, nearly opposite to Prospect Hill, where we remained near three-quarters of an hour; during most of the time we were on that hill, there was a smart fire on what. I take to be the easterly part of Bunker’s Hill.

Captain Ebenezer Sullivan deposed and said: we continued on the small hill half an hour; some considerable part of the time we were there there was a very heavy fire from the further part of the hill in Charlestown. After we retreated, Colonel Scammons encouraged the men to advance. The Regiment was not near enough to engage the enemy.

Captain Philip Hubbard deposed: the reason of our going to Lechmere’s Point was, because we met expresses, who told us the Regulars were landing at that place; when we got to Lechmere’s Point, General Whitcomb told Col. Scammons he had better go and watch the floating batteries, and then marched to the small hill, where we stayed half an hour. As soon as Colonel Scammons discovered Charlestown meeting-house on fire, he marched the Regiment, with all possible despatch, towards Bunker’s Hill. We met great numbers retreating down. The confusion was so great before we got to the top of hill, it was impossible to force. I saw nothing of irresolution or backwardness in Colonel Scammons any time of the day.

Lieutenant Cuzons deposed: that at Lechmere’s Point, General Whitcomb told Colonel Scammons he had better go to that hill, meaning, as the deponent took it, the small hill which they marched to, and watch the motions of the floating batteries. As soon as Colonel Scammons heard the firing of the small-arms at the hill in Charlestown, he said he would stay there no longer, and ordered the Regiment to march for Bunker’s Hill, which he did. I know nothing of Colonel Scammons’s behaviour at Bunker’s Hill.

Lieutenant Morgan Lewis deposed and said: I saw-nothing of cowardice or backwardness in Colonel Scammons that day.

Lieutenant Thomas Cutts in substance as Lieut. Lewis. Sergeant Amaziah Goodwin agrees with Lieut. Cutts.

Sergeant Samuel Goodale deposed: that General Whitcomb ordered Colonel Scammons from Lechmere’s Point, to take possession of the small hill, and watch the motions of the floating batteries. I was sent by Colonel Scammons to General Putnam, to know if his Regiment was wanted; and before I got back, Colonel Scammons was upon his march towards Bunker’s Hill. I saw Colonel Scammons two thirds of the way up the hill, but Know nothing of his conduct there.

John Littlefield deposed: that as we marched down, we heard the Regulars were landing at Lechmere’s Point. I know nothing of Colonel Scammons’s behaviour.

Jonathan Love deposed and said:when we were upon Bunker’s Hill, an officer ordered us to retreat, as the enemy had forced the intrenchment; after which Colonel Scammons ordered us to retreat.

Joseph Parson, drummer, deposed and said: we were three-quarters of an hour on the little round hill, and the firing of the small-arms lasted half an hour, when we marched off towards Bunker’s Hill. I know nothing of Colonel Scammons’s behaviour at Bunker’s Hill.

The Court then called on Colonel Scammons to make his defence; upon which the following evidence was produced:

Captain Jeremiah Hill deposed and said: that down by the bridge near Lechmere’s Point, we met General Whitcomb, who told Colonel Scammons that he was sufficient to guard that point, and told Col. Scammons he had better go round to the little hill and watch their motions there. We accordingly went and stayed there half an hour.

Colonel John Whitcomb, who is styled by the foregoing deponents General, deposed and said: I met Colonel Scammons with his Regiment about fifty rods from Lechmere’s Point; I asked him what brought him there; he replied by asking me where he should go; I told him Where he could do the most service. I am positive I never ordered him to the little hill, if my memory serves me, because men could be of no service at such a place except in the night.

The Court then adjourned till Saturday morning, eight o’clock.

Saturday, July 15, A. M.

The Court met according to adjournment. Col. Scammons begged liberty to produce the four next witnesses, who were admitted and sworn accordingly.

Henry Fess, drummer, deposed: that as we marched down Cambridge road, we met two men on horseback, who told us the Regulars were landing at Lechmere’s Point. We then marched very fast towards the point, where we met General Whitcomb, who told Colonel Scammons to go round to the hill, whichthill I understood to mean the little round hill we marched to I was within ten feet of General Whitcomb, when these orders were given.

Ichabod Smith deposed and said: I was about ten feet from General Whitcomb, at Lechmere’s Point, When I heard him desire Colonel Scammons to march round, and observe the motion of the floating batteries which lay near the little hill. We marched to the little hill and continued there about twenty minutes. As soon as Colonel Scammons found out where the firing of the small-arms was